Joe Kovacs, an editor for the right wingnut World Net Daily, has written a new book called Shocked by the Bible.Just so there's no misunderstanding, I haven't read it. I have read what Kovacs and a few others have said about it. I have read that Bill O'Reilly thinks it's the cat's meow. If what I've heard is true, then Kovacs is a moron.
Kovacs is going to tell you all about the "true" facts of the Bible, because he has read the Bible and is a true "Bible believer."
"...I'm trying to educate people about what's there," Kovacs told a right wingnut talk radio host. "I'm trying to get people to go back to the Bible. I can't force people to believe it. That's up to them. But I can try to stun them with some amazing facts that they've never been told that might get them to crack open the pages of the Bible and say, 'I cannot believe that is in the Bible or that is not in the Bible. I've been misinformed all these years.'"
Kovacs thinks that "most people don't know what the Bible says [that's very true, but he isn't going to help overcome that ignorance!], and they're confused with a lot [sic] brainwashing by the media over centuries. This is not something that started 10 or 15 years ago. We're talking centuries and millennia of misconceptions floating around out there."
Heh. Heh. Yup. The reason people don't know what the Bible says is because they've been brainwashed by the "media" for centuries or millennia, even. Please. What is this moron talking about? What "media" existed centuries ago? Millennia ago?
I hate to give this character any more publicity, but he doth provide a good example of what happens when people misunderstand the Bible so completely; treat it as a collection of magical material; and think of the old tales, sagas and myths as historical realities.
For example: Kovacs told the right wingnut radio host that "There is a portion [in the Bible] where God actually reveals Himself in his full glory to him [Moses]. He stuck Moses between the cleft of a rock, because Moses asked to see God, to show him His way. ...
"As He [God] walked by, He put his hand over his eyes so Moses was unable to see God's face. But as He walked away, God lifted His hand, and Moses could see the back side of God as He's walking away, in His full glory. This is the Old Testament stuff that people never hear about. That God actually revealed Himself in his full glory to Moses."
Honestly. I am not making this up. God revealed his back side to Moses! IN ITS FULL GLORY!
And Moses said, "Holy crap!"
[The story is found in Exodus 33:17-23. In Exodus 34, God gives Moses the commandments again along with a bunch of other commandments which seem to have just as much importance as the first "10."]
Now, it gets even more interesting. Here's what this moron, Kovacs said:
"And guess what. He looked like a guy just walking right by you. God does say that He's got eyes and hands and arms and legs and feet and nostrils. So God does look like us. We are made in His image. Some people are not aware of that. They think God is some ethereal cloud floating around out there. We are made in the image of God. We weren't made in the image of puppies or butterflies or snakes or caterpillars. God actually made man after the God kind because we're meant to be with God in His family for all eternity."
Methinks "moron" is too nice a term. God is a physical being? Looks just like us? Then what the hell is Jesus talking about when he's quoted in John 4:24 as saying "God is a spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth"?
I think trying to reason with Kovacs would be like arguing with a doorpost. What he's done is created his own God in Kovacs' own image. Which is pretty much what those ancient storytellers did when they wrote these tall tales about ancient nomads lost in the desert.
Kovacs is one of those guys who makes it really hard to believe in heaven. Would you want to roll around heaven all day with this fruitcake?
I'm not "shocked" by the Bible, I'm shocked there are people as stupid as Kovacs writing a book about it. He is, in spite of his profession to the contrary, a biblical illiterate!
39 comments:
I have heard things all my long life about what the Bible says but when asked to show me, I usually get loud stuff without showing me. The few times I was shown, the words did not say what the person said they said. It seemed to be his interpretation of what it said. I have asked if the various rewritings went from Aramaic and Hebrew, to Greek to Latin to English etc did not change original meanings, just as our language has similar words meaning different things over the years. I usually get something that sound like God guides the hands of the interpreters. I never got satisfactory answers re the contradictions within our English translations. Now we have Kovacs with his versions. With TV hosts like O’Reilly that version gets a wide audience and we suddenly have another new version of the ancient Bible. Each had its own promoters arguing over a few words or meanings. One would think God would reproduce a simple new version, possibly updated to cover all the bad things that changed the original words or thoughts. Man has changed whatever the original said. If one has faith, I would suggest talking to God rather than all these men and women that insist they know what God said, wants, etc. They make themselves the spokesperson of God, which diminishes God. Killing people in God’s name has not made the world a better place.
I found your blog by scrolling through technorati looking at what other bloggers were saying about Joe Kovacs' book. I too think Kovacs assumes too much thinking he is the great revealer of the Bible. However, you made some comments in your post such as, "Which is pretty much what those ancient storytellers did when they wrote these tall tales about ancient nomads lost in the desert."
I am curious, what makes you think that the stories in the Bible are tall tales?
Mr. Hyde, you don't have enough time. They are all tall tales. The great majority of biblical scholars have known that for over 100 years. It has been in the past 30-40 years, however, that archaeology has confirmed that there was no Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or even Moses. There's no evidence for any of these people, nor is there any evidence for the Exodus or the so-called "conquest" of the land. In fact, all of the evidence points to these tall tales being just that - ancient legends incorporated about the 7th century into the "remembrances" of the Hebrew people.
Read any modern (not fundamentalist) biblical scholar...
You stated, "It has been in the past 30-40 years, however, that archeology has confirmed that there was no Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or even Moses." Can you give me a link to this? I want to know if this is true.
One other question..."Read and modern (not fundamentalist) biblical scholar"...what do you define as modern and fundamentalist?
Mr. Hyde...assuming you're not just yanking my chain, why not send me an e-mail and we can continue this conversation that way...
I'll be happy to provide you with what I've got...
Oops! My e-mail is yanson2@aol.com.
Jacob the confirmation that these stories are true is from the lords own mouth for he referenced these people in the New testament! When he showed his glory to the two desciples on the mount he was talking with mosese and Elijah! Mr.Hyde i pray that you start listening to Jesus and his gospel of truth than Jacob.
@ Anonymous: Heh. Heh. Is this what you call biblical scholarship. The "lords own mouth" also said you should sell EVERYTHING you own and give it to the poor and follow him (what follow him means, he didn't explain -- maybe wander around Palestine in a dirty old robe and sandals)...
Why the hell don't you do that?
Oh, I guess you don't really "believe" the bible!
Haven't read it right? Then don't bitch. You don't have and objective leg to stand on so don't bitch. So how often do you rant about things you don't know the ins and outs of? Hmmmm? Haven't read it right? Then don't bitch.
I appreciate your vast knowledge on the Bible. I agree many do not know of mankinds life: Where did we come from?; Why are we here?; Where do we go after this life? Joe, to enhance your knowledge on the bible, I would challenge you to pursue this web site: www.mormon.org.
They get their knowledge of the bible from God, not man's learning. Only God can tell us what was really meant in the writings in the Bible as the Prophets and Apostles wrote them in their time frame. Man does not have the knowledge to interpret what God meant when He spoke to these writers and is found in a Bible that, years age, man changed God's words in the writings of Prophets and Apostles, and conbined them all in The King James version or what ever version man has condensed for his congregations use or his own use.
I challenge you to learn more of the actual truth by searching: www.mormon.org.
I thank you for this moment to 'blog' with you.
Irvin Tilley
irvilley@live.com
Maybe you should read the book before commenting. Hmmm. You're doing to him EXACTLY what he's talking about what other people do to the Bible: looking at a few lines and thinking you have the full story. He proves some very fun facts, like there were NO 3 wise men. And that there are actually 3 heavens. And that Jesus had siblings. If you believe in the Bible as the word of God, you have to agree with him on many of his points. I found the book fascinating.
Good Job! I got the same impression from the material I scanned from Mr. Kovacs too.
I would like to hear what you think about the book, "Lies a Preacher Told Me?" It may be what Joe was "trying" to do.
I think Joe Kovacs is into ism. He thinks he knows the Bible. Only people who are spiritual born can understand the bible. He is mocking God and he will have to answer for his stupidity.
I have not read his book nor do I intend to read it, He is just looking to make money.
Please Christians do not be decieved by the mockery of the man.
†
Joe Kovacs is mocking God. To understand the Bible, one must be born spiritual then God will reveal the truth to his children.
The Bible is our heritage and our eternity.
I wonder if Mr. Kovacs knows where he will spend eternity!! He is making a mockery of GOD. Man's wisdom is God's folly, Be not deceived.
What makes or gives him the right to interpetate the Bible? One must be born from above to be able to understand the Bible and it would take us a life time to understand even a fraction of all that is in it.
Many things he states, we as Christians already know, such as holidays, The flood, the wise men theory and so much more has the Lord enlightened to us. As we follow His Son Jesus Christ!
If you study the Bible and are truly a follower of Christ, He will tell you the truth, the way and the Life!!
Do not depend on man to change you, only God can change us from the inside out when we submit/yield to His command.
He alone is the truth the way and the life to eternity spent in heaven.
I would not read it if he gave it to me free, I would rather continue studying my Holy Bible as God instructs me.
Don't be fooled by man's cleaverness
†
yawn....jacob, your underlying hostility towards anything Christian whatsoever trumps any assessment I would seriously consider from you. Shall I say, I hear the gnashing of teeth in your blog...okay, I will. You cannot believe because you are dead in your sins and there is no truth in you, however much you deem yourself as any sort of illuminator to what is truth.
Glo little glo-worm ...
Resorting to slime? thanks for proving my point......
And Jesus died for all the sinful little glo-worms, too.
Lucky for you!
Oh happy day.
Yes, He did! HALLELUJAH !
"For Christ died for us when we were STILL yet sinners"......but only those who believe on Him will be saved.
What do you believe in Mr. Jacob?
You wrote an article on a book you have not read? Too funny. I must admit though that I almost didn't buy the book, I don't like Bill O'Reilly. Despite that though, I bought it finally. I'm not finished yet but from what I have read it is good, dispelling may of the strange junk hat people believe. It sounds more like my great grandparents taught me when I was young. I've cross referenced some of it so far and it checks out, but I haven't finished yet. As a guy once said, God didn't write footnotes. Man has written too many footnotes.
I didn't bother to read verbatim your whole article after the line that you have not read a book that you are giving a review on. That just blows my mind.
Yes I always thought a person writing a review read the book first so they could have an educated review.
let me know when you've read the book and then i'll consider listening to your comments. doctrbob17
let me know when you've read the book and then i'll consider listening to your comments. doctrbob17
The first words that turmed me off-"eternal life is one of the "rewards." To me this is possibly
the worst mistake that mr Kovacs
promoted. He doesn't KNOW the
scripture--and is NOT being led by
Spirit---eternal life is a GIFT!!
John 3:16
I agree with the man ,who said you must be born again to understand the Bible!!
Know one can change us but, God!! Just God!!
glo- little Glo-worm
Come on you can do better than that ,can't you!
By world events, we are most likely in the "last days," meaning the age of Grace is coming to an end. God tells us there will be mockers, people will have "itching ears" for new doctrine, etc. Be careful Christians that you are not hoodwinked by some "new" gospel.
I AGREE . DID GOD TELL KOVACS TO DO THIS? I DO NOT SEE WHERE HE SAYS HE FEELS IT WAS GOD ORDAINED.
The King James Version has been altered to promote authenticity to the false doctrine of the Trinity as 3 persons in one God. Most people don't know this; including many ministers/pastors, etc. The religious "media" was behind this--remember, they would kill you if you even owned a Bible--everything in Latin so few could understand, etc. This isn't the real God but the false religious system Jesus fought against. The false promotes their own traditions on par with the Bible which contradict the Bible in numerous places. Most people couldn't find their way around a Bible if their life was on the line. Check out the false names "God the Son" and "God the Holy Spirit." They are made up names; lies to deceive and mislead.
I suggest that since Jesus, Mary and Joseph and most of the early Christians were all practicing Orthodox Jews that followed what is known as The Old Testament, we could easily figure out what the viewpoint of the Holy Family would be on most subjects, even if we had to learn the original languages they were transcribed in. If God dictated the rules, it should be easy to understand them and avoid the large numbers of interpretations, mistakes, etc. It is all still available in book form.
Bob
Where do you get your concept of right and wrong? The 10 commandments don't sound bad to me. Unless you like watching other dudes defile your wife, people lying to you, little kids getting molested, killing and working a seven day work week... Not trying to sound like a jerk, but just giving you a reality that some people grow up with...this reality is evil and the Bible says so...to me The Bible is right on the money!
I think it might depend upon which Holy Book one uses and how it was interpreted from the original language and the meaning of words at the time. Each society makes its own rules and many then try to enforce their version on others. Sometimes that leads to killing those that do not agree. I suspect that violates some rules. History is replete with murders in the name of God. The crusaders, the Inquisitors, the Jihadists, etc all were done by sincere, believing people in God’s name. Even the Golden Rule has more than one interpretation and the emphasis is different.
God apparently wrote the ten Commandments in Hebrew. We read them in English or any of the modern languages but are not certain of what was originally given to Moses. It is possible that Moses had more than two tablets but dropped the excess and they were never found.
Faith decides what some believe and that is based upon what they are taught by others that were also influenced by their society and circumstances. Usually the winners write history and interpretations.
Dear Anonymous of April 1. So why are you such frightened of giving your name to your opinions? Not to say that your opinions matter for it is obvious you know nothing about the Hebrew Bible or the stories involving the so-called Ten Commandments. You simply recite crap you've heard in some fundamentalist church by some uneducated preacher.
I did communicate with Mr. Kovacs after he spoke on Peter Boyles show in Denver, Co.. Interesting that he feels man needs to work his way to Salvation and he denies the Gift of God.
Richard H.
Hey Lowell --
Check it out -- Kovacs is right; the reward of the saved is NOT heaven, but the meek shall inherit the EARTH (Matt.5:5); no man has ascended to heaven except Jesus (John 3:13) and the saints will reign with Christ on EARTH (Rev. 5:10). Quite shocking, isn't it? Now who's the moron? Hmmmm?
Dear Wayne,
You toss some Bible verse at me in order to scare the hell out of me? What nonsense!
Most interesting, though, is how self-righteous and hateful you Christians are!
If there were a heaven someplace other than your imagination, I'd want to be somewhere else.
That's the hell of it!
I discovered Mr. Kovacs book, "Surprised by The Bible", through WND, my fav. source for news.
I have been a believer in Yeshua, for a long time now. Mr. Joe Kovacs has it correct for all of you speaking against him. It just so happens that I have a book on the "Early Church", and Christmas, and Easter have deep roots in the occult. Also, I very recently, have been convicted about the day that Christians are coming together to worship the Lord. In God's fourth Commandment HE tells HIS people to Keep the Sabbath. The Seventh day of the week, which is Saturday, NOT Sunday. When I read in my book on the early Church, Sunday, came from Constantine, who supposedly came to the faith in Christ, but DID NOT GIVE UP HIS IDOL WORSHIP OF THE SUN-GOD! The Christians started worshipping on Sunday it is said, b/c Jesus rose from the grave on a Sunday. However, they were doing this prior to Apostle Paul even writing 1 Corinthians.
For those of you who do not understand the scriptures, The apostle Paul had to write to the Corinthian church b/c there were so many problems and things were done wrong. God tells HIS people to honor the Sabbath. Friday night from Sundown through Saturday night sundown. So, why can't we meet on Saturday? IF you read in the New Testament Mark 2:24, "Many of the Pharisees were so caught up in their man-made laws and traditions that they lost sight of what was good and right." (NASB commentary)
This is exactly what Catholicism does. They are stuck in their processions of gold, and is all man-made. There is nothing scriptural about what is done in the Catholic service. They will be held highly accountable for deceiving the people.
All of you who are disagreeing with the author of "Surprised By The
Bible", I strongly encourage you to read the following history of the Early Church. "The Penguin History of The church 1 The Early Church." "The story of emergent Christianity from the apostolic age to the dividing of the ways between the Greek and the Latin West." authored by Henry Chadwick.
I wonder why the religious practices of Jesus, Mary and Joseph plus most of the early Christians were all Jewish. After the death of Jesus, many returned to their villages and continued their Jewish rituals and many customs.
Had Jesus lived. I assume Kosher and other religious rules would have remained similar to the practices followed by Jesus et al.
Post a Comment